MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo and former senator Grace Poe remained the top choices of voters in Tangere’s April 2026 senatorial preference survey, even as competition for the final slots in the so-called “Magic 12” intensified.
Results of the nationwide poll, conducted from April 1 to 3 among 1,500 respondents, showed Tulfo leading with 44.8 percent, followed by Poe with 40.1 percent and Sen. Loren Legarda with 39.3 percent.
The three maintained a clear advantage over other contenders, reflecting continued voter preference for experienced national figures.
Despite holding on to the top spot, Tulfo’s rating declined from 49.8 percent in January, while Poe’s dropped from 43.5 percent, indicating that voter preferences are becoming more fragmented as more names gain traction ahead of the 2028 midterm elections.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno ranked fourth with 38.2 percent, while Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte placed fifth and sixth with 37.9 percent and 36.9 percent, respectively, signaling strong support for local executives and the continued influence of Davao-based candidates.
The Duterte brothers’ numbers remained largely steady compared to January, suggesting a stable support base.
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Sonny Angara and social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian maintained their ratings at 29.2 percent and 24.8 percent, respectively, pointing to consistent public backing for administration figures.
The survey also pointed to a tight contest for the final spots in the winning circle. Broadcaster Ben Tulfo currently held 12th place with 24.1 percent but faced close competition from Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno (22.3 percent), actor Dingdong Dantes (21.7 percent), and Benhur Abalos (21.3 percent).
Tangere Chief Executive Officer Martin Peñaflor said the results reflected an increasingly fluid electoral landscape, with voters beginning to weigh performance and consistency alongside name recall.
The non-commissioned survey used a stratified random sampling method and had a margin of error of ±2.15 percent at a 95 percent confidence level. Respondents were distributed across major regions, including the National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
